By Sylvester Thompson
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) says that engaging young scientists in research, advocacy, and policy development on genome editing will drive sustainable agriculture in Africa.
Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Technical Lead, Genome Editing Initiative, AUDA-NEPAD Centre of Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Genome Editing (GEd) is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s DNA.
It is a suite of tools that breeders use to make specific alterations within a genome of a target organism.
Akinbo said that not engaging young scientists on GEd raises concerns about the trajectory of GEd research in Africa, given pressing food insecurity issues on the continent.
He said that inadequate youth inclusion might hinder the acceptance and adoption of GEd technologies as young people represent a significant demographic dividend.
“Young people are shaping narratives in digital spaces with nearly 40 per cent of individuals aged 15 to 24 in Africa active online.
“Notably, AUDA-NEPAD’s policy framework for application of GEd in African Agriculture emphasises the necessity of youth inclusiveness in policy formulation and execution.
“Future leaders in the scientific community must recognise the importance of research in promoting societal advancement while ensuring environmental sustainability.
“Modern biotechnology, particularly GEd, holds the potential to create innovative solutions that can mitigate climate change, enhance agriculture, bolster food security, and improve human and animal welfare,” Akinbo said.
He added that it was essential to ensure that the application of these benefits was cultivated alongside the enthusiasm for knowledge in the next generation of scientists. (NAN)
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